WATCH: Sundance Square lights largest live Christmas tree in Texas
FORT WORTH, Texas - Thousands of people gathered in Downtown Fort Worth Tuesday for the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree.
The 82-foot Norway Spruce from Cadillac, Michigan, is 8 feet taller than the Christmas tree in New York City's Rockefeller Center and 52 feet taller than the National Christmas tree at the White House.
On Tuesday night, the holiday season officially started in Fort Worth with the Christmas tree lighting at Sundance Square.
7-year-old Elizabeth Buentello and her younger sister are full of Christmas cheer.
"I think there's gonna be colors, and because they're going to look so beautiful and sparkly, and it’s making me so excited!" she said.
Elizabeth’s dad, Albert, grew up in Fort Worth and came to the tree lighting when he was her age.
"Doing the same thing they’re doing now: running around, enjoying the community," he said.
That’s exactly what brought Sergio Ramirez and his family out to Sundance Square.
"Mainly the kids enjoying the music and obviously the lighting of it. A little magical experience."
This isn’t just any Christmas tree. The city says its tree is the tallest live Christmas tree in the state.
A mariachi band got the crowd ready for the countdown.
Once the clock struck 7 p.m., the tree was shining bright.
Organizers said 8,000 people came out for the tree lighting last year, and they expect Tuesday’s crowd to be about the same.
This year marks the 78th year for the Fort Worth Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The tradition was started in 1947 by Amon Carter Sr.